The Hong Kong career of Limitless has been defined by his many quirks and tricks as much as his talent, but jockey Douglas Whyte believes that a late-season victory last term has the Caspar Fownes-trained galloper ready to return an improved horse in the Class 2 Wah Fu Handicap (1650m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (12 September).
Limitless arrived in Hong Kong with a lofty reputation as the winner of three in England, including the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot, from five starts. The son of Lope De Vega, who raced as Defrocked in the UK, demonstrated his ability in that win – but, as Whyte says, it was also a portent of things to come with his manners.
“Even when he won the Britannia, he went left and right and so he’s obviously had a few issues all along,” Whyte said at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning (11 September). “If he does get better with his racing manners, he has a lot of room to move in the ratings, because the way he let down last time, he certainly gives you the feel that he’s got a lot of points in hand.”
Limitless arrived as a potential Derby horse in Hong Kong and, after a stellar last-to-first victory in February, 2017, snared a spot in the four-year-old classic. However, he missed the start, overraced and became unbalanced, finishing second-last. In his next 12 starts after the Derby, he only finished in the placings once, with his penchant for fighting the rider costing him dearly.
Nevertheless, Whyte was able to relax Limitless under him at his last start over the Happy Valley 1650m in July with the bay relishing a fairly solid tempo. While he still did minor things wrong, it was not the headstrong Limitless of old and the gelding sprinted sharply to score by a length and three quarters.
“I think it’s down to a lot of timing and patience,” Whyte said. “There’s no doubt he’s been a real difficult horse, a headcase, but I think – I’m hoping anyway – that the penny’s dropped. He’s starting to understand what racing is all about and what’s necessary of him to win races and to put his best foot forward.
“I’ve been on him in the mornings and he seems to be going well. We did a jump-out last week and I sat behind and ran up next to my partners and he did that comfortably, so I’m hoping he takes that work and that mental frame to the races, and if he can do that, he’ll be very competitive.”
He continued: “I think the speed at the Valley suits him and the quickness, the tempo and the turns all play to his strengths. I think he’s got a lot more to think about as opposed to Sha Tin, where there’s only the one turn and a lot more time.”
Limitless (128lb) will jump from gate eight in the 12-horse field.
